Petro Poroshenko Quotes

“I am glad to see the return to their Homeland of the four of our citizens after many years of captivity in Libya.” – Petro Poroshenko, UNIAN, 2 February 2018.

“I am deeply concerned by the decision of the Polish parliament [referring to Poland’s adoption of a controversial Holocaust bill which was designed to defend the country’s history, but has instead sparked an uproar]… Historical truth calls for a frank conversation and dialogue and not prohibitions. The assessments which this decision contains are totally biased and completely unacceptable [a passage of the bill allows for the prosecution of anyone who denies war crimes committed by Ukrainian nationalists, in a move which has sparked an outcry in Kiev].” – Petro Poroshenko, Times of Israel, 1 February 2018.

“Take Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. Take Yalta post-war division on zones of influence and Iron Curtain. Take Moscow aggression against Hungary and Czechoslovakia, or against Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. I will keep repeating: if only the democratic Europe had not fallen into treacherous compromises with the Russia of Bolsheviks and Ukraine’s democracy and independence had been secured, than many tragedies of the twentieth century would have been prevented… The first lesson is about the democratic values that cannot be a subject for trading, nor for compromises. If paraphrasing Winston Churchill’s words, I would say: when between comfort and democratic values we chose comfort, than we will lose both in the end.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“The Kremlin is never to be trusted, despite the regime it is masked under – czarist, communist or pseudo-democratic one… the history, including of the last one hundred years, confirms that aggression, lies, manipulations, repression, and suppression of free speech is present in either form of this state.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“Everything that Russia does today has one aim, which is to return us into so-called “sphere of its influence”, and to destroy the Ukrainian statehood as such… Ukraine stands at a forefront. I have told about it on many occasions. And I will repeat it again: it is the Ukrainian army, which, at costs of lives of its heroes, defends peace, stability, democracy and freedom in Europe. It is in Ukraine that the creation of Europe is ongoing.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“We should remember that Ukraine is a special place on the map of Europe. It is here, in where the future of Europe is being decided… In contrast to a century ago, we have everything available to stand our ground. We uphold and defend the international law as our fundamental value. We have built up strong, democratic, and united nation with growing economy and powerful and patriotic army. And we enjoy unwavering unity and solidarity with you against aggression.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“This year we will launch the establishment of the Court, and my bill is under consideration in the Rada. For the sake of its successful adoption, I invite all to work constructively within democratic parliamentary procedures. Right after the first reading, there will be time to improve the draft in order to make this institution work as effectively as possible yet complying with the Ukrainian Constitution, the principles of the Ukrainian sovereignty and legislation… This Court will become the last and decisive element of a new anti-corruption architecture in Ukraine. At the same time, we are not only to develop an anti-corruption punitive system, but also to eliminate the basis for corruption.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“An extensive network of administrative services centres replaces direct contacts with officials… [According to the President, Ukraine confidently holds leadership as regards progress in data openness and demonstrates an unprecedented transparency.] All this could have been done before us. But it is us who did all this… We will continue to eradicate the very roots of corruption. And we would wish that these efforts would be properly assessed by the Ukrainian and world community, and would inspire all of us.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“Last year our American partners confirmed to be in the lead of fight against Russia’s revanchist policies. From the first meeting with President Trump we coordinated the strengthening of our strategic partnership based on Great Deal on Peace and Great Plan of Success… We are grateful for “Peace through Strength” approach and, accordingly, for the decision to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons. As well as for the coordinated efforts with a view to implementing the initiative on deployment of the UN peacekeeping operation in the occupied Donbas.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“[Praising the U.S. firm stand as regards the transatlantic unity and solidarity with Ukraine, including on the policy of sanctions] They are the most efficient and civilized reply to the bullying Russia.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“I wish all the best to Chancellor Merkel, and believe that the emerging government coalition in Germany will be based on steady support of Ukraine and its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence… We are looking forward to closely cooperating on bringing peace back on the Ukrainian land.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“Even the threat to their health and lives from Russian occupation forces does not stop them from fulfilling their noble mission [referring to the brave and committed activity of numerous SMM OSCE observers in the occupied Donbas]… There is nothing impossible when we all join our efforts and speak with one voice. Christmas release of hostages is a brilliant example.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“This year we will be working to ensure that the rest of Ukrainian hostages from occupied Donbas and Crimea and political prisoners detained in Russia would also return to their homes in Ukraine at the earliest possible… We will keep paving the way for reintegration of the occupied Ukrainian lands by peaceful and politically diplomatic means… This is the key message of the relevant law, which is being considered today in the Ukrainian parliament, upon my initiative. This is the message to both – Donbas and Crimea: you are an integral part of Ukraine and we will do our utmost to bring you back home as soon as possible.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“In 2018, our priorities in reforms are no less ambitious – privatization, deregulation, improving investment climate, national bureau on financial security, tax on withdrawn capital, liberal legislation on currency, further improvement of tender legislation and energy sector, and legislation on national security… We have set up a new Supreme Court of Ukraine – from scratch, and by means of an open competition, with active participation of the civil society. We have adopted an education reform – it will improve education sector in Ukraine in compliance with its international obligations and EU Member States practice. To those who think otherwise we are ready to explain the logic and agree bilateral mechanisms. Without ultimatum, politicization and dictate.” – Petro Poroshenko, President.gov.ua, 16 January 2018.

“Having increased the government financing of the cinema, we laid the foundations for producing more than 120 films a year. I believe a bright future awaits Ukrainian cinema!” – Petro Pooroshenko, Intetrfax-Ukraine, 15 January 2018.

“We must continue to actively reform the country. In particular, a number of draft laws are planned in the financial, judicial, investment fields and on the land market. The top priority for the country is not to slow down the pace of fundamental changes.” – Petro Poroshenko, UkrInform, 12 January 2018.

“I think that such a quick solving [of the murder case of human rights activist Iryna Nozdrovska’s murder] is a sign of extremely high potential possessed by the reformed National Police… [This case] does credit to the staff of the National Police and investigators who were engaged in this case… Our meeting is a sign of very serious evidence gathered by representatives of the National Police and representatives of the prosecutor’s office and the absolute absence of any components of political PR in this high-profile case… The quick reaction and effective measures in the search and detention of the suspect are a sign of the quality of work of the National Police.” – Petro Poroshenko, UkrInform, 9 January 2018.

“We reformed the army in 2017 by providing the military personnel with their own housing, transferring military equipment to the anti-terrorist operation area, designing advanced weapons.” – Petro Poroshenko, UkrInform, 9 January 2018.

“Serious investors will come to Ukraine. Merged territorial communities will reap more and more generous fruits of decentralization. The revamped courts will issue first verdicts against high-ranking corrupt officials. You will see even more repaired roads, modernized rural health posts as part of rural health care development, and new weapons for the army. Having fed and provided the army with gear, we can afford to use a fifth of the military budget for armament and military equipment. The spending of the Armed Forces alone has been increased by another 25%, to UAH 86 billion [US$3.1 billion].” – Petro Poroshenko, UNIAN, 6 January 2018.

“The revamped supreme court started to work on December 15, 2017. The creation of the anti-corruption court will start during the year. Money for this institution has already been allocated in the budget, but we should go through all the stages of the approval of the law [on the anti-corruption court] and formation of the panel of judges… I particularly emphasize the guarantees of independence of the NABU [National Anti-corruption Bureau]. I consider any form of pressure on this agency unacceptable – both from the side of the political establishment and this agency’s support group, which aggressively lobbies lists of ‘clients’ with politically motivated ‘verdicts.” – Petro Poroshenko, UNIAN, 6 January 2018.

“The good news is that the years of [economic] downfall caused by war, the loss of a significant part of our industrial potential, and Russia’s economic aggression – that trend has been broken. But there is no reason for fireworks… This pace is categorically unsatisfactory for steady economic development and restoration of living standards… This is why we are looking for unconventional, non-trivial and liberal solutions to improve our investment climate, speed up economic growth and create new jobs.” –Petro Poroshenko, Kyiv Post, 6 January 2018.

“I hope we will launch this novelty [meaning, instead of taxing companies’ profits Ukraine could introduce a tax on the capital taken out of the country] from January 1, 2019. But for now we will introduce payment by installment of the VAT on equipment imported for production expansion and upgrade.” – Petro Poroshenko, Kyiv Post, 6 January 2018.

“Membership in the European Union, as well as joining NATO, certainly remain our strategic goal. Since this prospect is clearly not for 2018, and it is not up to us, as the Scripture says, to know the times and dates, I will only say that I firmly believe this will happen.” – Petro Poroshenko, Kyiv Post, 6 January 2018.

“ [The Association Agreement with the EU is] a roadmap for further fundamental changes that will bring Ukraine closer to the Copenhagen criteria for membership in the most prestigious union in the world… During the Eastern Partnership Summit, I presented the outlines for further intermediate steps: an association with the Schengen zone, accession to the EU Customs Union, the EU Energy Union and the Single Digital Market. The sectoral integration will actually turn the country’s eastern borders into the EU borders before we de jure join the EU.” – Petro Poroshenko, Kyiv Post, 6 January 2018.

“Just as we agreed with President Donald Trump calmly and without much noise, Ukraine will receive lethal defensive weapons from the U.S. This principled and long-awaited decision by the American administration was confirmed during my conversation with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson yesterday.” – Petro Poroshenko, Panorama, 3 January 2018.

“However, our main ally is the Ukrainian Armed Forces [after also mentioning that Ukraine would receive lethal defensive weapons from its partners in the United States]. Powerful and strong, one of the most effective armies in Europe [saying that 2018 military budget of Ukraine will amount to a record UAH 86 billion ($3.06 bln)].” – Petro Poroshenko, Unian, 1 January 2018.

“I wish Ukrainian citizens and Ukrainians all over the world peace, happiness and prosperity! … As President, I will provide the political conditions necessary for the economic growth.”- Petro Poroshenko, Unian, 1 January 2018.

“We should take away the matches from those who want set fire to the house from the inside. We should open fire on those who will attack us from the outside. We should cherish our unity as the apple of one’s eye.” – Petro Poroshenko, Unian, 1 January 2018.

“Let Crimea and Sevastopol, Donetsk and Luhansk hear my sincere wishes through the artificial delimitation lines. Brothers and sisters, your home is Ukraine… At some point we will banish and punish the robber who plundered our home. … Optimism, faith in our country, our forces are our main resource. Everything will be alright.” – Petro Poroshenko, Unian, 1 January 2018.

“I convey sincere greetings to our international partners. The United States has just announced a decision to supply modern defensive weapons to us. A step in this direction was made by Canada and other states. The European Union extended sanctions against the aggressor country as well.” – Petro Poroshenko, Unian, 1 January 2018.

“And the decision of the Stockholm arbitration tribunal was made as if it is a Christmas gift. It protected us from the extremely unfavorable conditions of the gas contract of the ninth year.” – Petro Poroshenko, Unian, 1 January 2018.

“Once again, I greet hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have already used the visa-free regime. And millions who will take the advantage of it in the future. I congratulate all of us on our resolute and irreversible movement towards Europe. Last year’s festive night we only made a wish for the visa-free regime and now it came true.” – Petro Poroshenko, Unian, 1 January 2018.

“The year 2017 turned out to be uneasy. However, we were able to prove to the whole world that Ukrainians, having united, are capable of great achievements and victories.” – Petro Poroshenko, Unian, 31 December 2017.

“Due to the efforts of Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, of our big team, your liberation has become possible [referring to the liberated Ukrainians who were kept in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions].” – Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, 27 December 2017.

“A lot of Kyiv residents, Ukrainians, came to congratulate you and demonstrate how we’ve been waiting for you [the liberated Ukrainians who were kept in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions]. … As Supreme Commander-in-Chief, as President, I will do everything to return every warrior. Today, we must unite to save those who left there. We must do everything to ensure the international pressure. We will win.” – Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, 27 December 2017.